Dave Salo continues to beef-up his women’s breaststroke group, as it’s now really developing into one of the best in the country at the NCAA level to match what he has had at the post-graduate level.
His latest addition is Jamie Christy, who hails from Atlanta. She trains under Jason Turcotte at the Dynamo Swim Club, one of the hottest junior programs in the country right now. Turcotte is the head coach of the Junior National Team that is on its way to Moscow and Berlin for the World Cup Series, and the club won the last two Junior National titles prior to the Olympic year.
Christy is a breaststroker, and most specifically a sprint breaststroker, with yards bests of 1:02.86 and 2:17.46. She’s also very good in long course, with a 1:10.99 best in the 100.
Her bests swims in the 100 were done during, or just after, her sophomore year in high school, while a pinched nerve derailed her junior season a little bit. She’s fully recovered though, and is optimistic headed into her senior year.
“I went to USC this weekend and I committed, I’m really excited! I can’t wait to be a Trojan next year,” Christy said of her decision. “I really liked the team and how Dave puts emphasis on excelling academically as well as excelling in the pool. When I was on campus, everything clicked and I knew this was where I had to be! Catherine [Vogt] is awesome too- she’s so supportive of all the girls!”
Salo has not shied away from breaststrokers coming off of injuries. Though Christy’s wasn’t nearly as severe, USC is also bringing in Steven Stumph in this class, who has been hit hard by hip and groin problems during his high school career as well.
As for Christy, she will join a breaststroke group that now includes Kasey Carlson, Andrea Kropp, and Brianna Weinstein. Not only is that a very talented class, this is also a very well-balanced class. In the fall of 2013, the Trojans will have a star as a senior (Carlson), junior (Kropp), sophomore (Weinstein), and now Christy. That will ensure that the program won’t see any gaps in their medley relays for years to come – important as they strive to remain in the top three at NCAA’s every year.
More of ’em, and more $$$ available for them too. More competition for fewer and fewer dollars on the boys’ side, especially in the top 10 D-I programs.
I also think that the guys take all of their trips, to compare who is going to put up the most $$$ before they decide, and 5 trips take time.
For those more in the know on the college recruiting scene, why do the girls commit earlier. Lots of verbal commitments from girls, but far fewer from the guys so far. Is this normal? Will we start to hear about more of the guys in the next weeks or is this a function of there being more scholarships available for girls?
And congratulations to Jamie and all of the girls who’ve successfully found programs they feel comfortable with.
As father who has both son and daughter swimmers it could also be that some of the top girls just prepared earlier for the process….its consistent with my experience, as statistically insignificant as it may be.